RICHMOND, Vt. (WCAX) – People were out and about on the slopes over the weekend enjoying the sunshine, and some took their ski attire to the next level. Instead of gearing up in snow pants, Warren resident Justin Beckwith decided to trade the snow jacket for a blow-up unicorn, an outfit he had worn before at another ski event.
Though he enjoys the fun, Beckwith says the mountain conditions combined with the unicorn were a tough combo.
“The visibility is not very good out the little windscreen there and even though I paced myself as best as I could, definitely some oxygen deprivation going on,” Beckwith said.
But he says the event makes up for the trouble.
“It’s just an exceptional event that captures all the energy of not just cross-country skiers but Alpine skiers, back-country skiers,” he said.
It’s the eighth annual Nordic Cross at Cochran’s Ski Area.
“Everybody’s here to have a good time and I think we’re near 200 competitors again for the eighth year, believe it or not,” Beckwith said.
Whether it’s speeding uphill, downhill or making jumps, it’s a fun, festive and competitive way to bring the community together.
“Obviously, there’s a festive flare to it which is amazing including the pancakes and the maple syrup,” Beckwith said.
People from all over New England and all ages joined to participate in challenging obstacle courses.
“It’s just a really special day, really at the end of the season, everybody thinks there’s no more skiing left, we have this event,” organizer Pennie Rand said. “It really culminates the joy of the sport and celebration at the end of the season of skiing and how much we love skiing,” Rand said.
And although it’s a way to blow off some steam, it makes skiers work harder.
“This was really brought together because let’s really challenge the skiers and see what could happen,” Beckwith said.
Rand says Cochran’s is willing to help anyone who wants to get into this expensive sport.
“This ski area helps hundreds of school kids learn how to ski, makes it affordable, they deny no one the opportunity to ski,” Rand said.
This is Cochran’s Ski Area’s last big event of the season.